Monroe County foreclosures jump again in 2012

Monroe County home foreclosures are surging again, after a one-year dip.

DAVID PIERCE

Monroe County home foreclosures are surging again, after a one-year dip.

There were 1,811 initial foreclosure filings in 2012, compared to just 1,270 in 2011, according to figures compiled by Monroe County Prothonotary George Warden.

Those statistics represent the number of cases filed by lenders to take possession of properties and don't indicate how those cases may have been resolved. But it is yet another indication that thousands of local homeowners are in financial distress, as government and industry officials host a day-long workshop today aimed at finding solutions for individual households.

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and two nonprofit industry trade groups are sponsoring a free forum at East Stroudsburg University's Innovation Center, at the corner of East Brown Street and Route 447, open to the public. Representatives of nonprofit housing counseling agencies will be there to review paperwork of those with problem mortgages, a first step before approaching lenders about possibly modifying loan terms.

The forum was prompted by a 300-case backlog in mortgages referred to a Monroe County foreclosure diversion court, aimed at encouraging lenders and borrowers to reach new terms. It represents the longest wait for consumers among 26 Pennsylvania county courts which have formed foreclosure diversion programs.

Though Monroe County foreclosure filings skyrocketed in 2012, it isn't a record. There were 2,029 filings in 2010, 1,908 in 2009 and 1,500 in 2008. The county last decade had one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country.

Today's forum, during which homeowners can meet with counselors, is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome. Homeowners are encouraged to bring their mortgage documents, proof of incomes and any foreclosure notices they may have received.

"The session is to attract anyone who is falling behind on their mortgage, even those who aren't in foreclosure yet," Monroe County Judge Arthur Zulick said.